Alaa Alsayed Ahmad is a Research Assistant at the Syria Development Centre and a PhD researcher in Social Policy at Anglia Ruskin University. Her doctoral research explores the employment integration of highly skilled Syrian refugees in the UK labour market. She holds an MSc in Accounting, Finance and Strategic Investment from Newcastle University and a BA in Accounting from Damascus University. Alaa has experience in applied qualitative research, including survey design, in-depth interviews and community-based engagement with refugee populations in the UK. She has contributed to refugee advocacy efforts through her work with Human Rights Watch and led educational initiatives for displaced communities. Her research interests focus on refugee integration, labour market access and inclusive social policy in contexts of displacement.